Things No One Tells You

We talk a lot about transformation. We don’t talk enough about what it takes to sustain it.

Michael Chernow thought he was going to die at 24. After years of addiction and a near-fatal overdose, he didn’t believe he could stop. He couldn’t imagine a different life. What changed everything was structure after hitting rock bottom. A mentor who gave him an hour-by-hour plan. Small wins he could control.

In this episode, Michael opens up about addiction as a disease, the fears and misconceptions of sobriety, and how fitness and nutrition became the tools that rebuilt his confidence. He shares the story behind Kreatures of Habit and why he created Sober Fit Dude to help other men find mission and community in recovery.

What You’ll Hear:

• The overdose and the turning point (15:43)
• Why asking for help felt impossible (22:57)
• The discipline that built confidence (27:00)
• Entrepreneurship after sobriety (33:14)
• The daily habits that matter (59:19)

This is a conversation about rebuilding from scratch, about turning chaos into structure, and about what’s possible when you commit to the long game.

If this episode spoke to you, be sure to follow the show and leave a rating so others can discover it, too.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/seEn8c-9COI

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/michael-chernow-38

Check out more from Michael Chernow:

Follow Michael Chernow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelchernow/

Follow Kreatures of Habit on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kreaturesofhabit/

Discover Kreatures of Habit’s website: https://kreaturesofhabit.com/

Check out SoberFitDude: https://www.soberfitdude.app/

Mentioned in this Episode: 

Navigating the Impact of Addiction with Stable Recovery https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/stable-recovery-28

Support this podcast:

Follow Things No One Tells You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsnoonetellsyoupod/

Stay connected with Lindsay https://www.lindsaycz.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz

I’ve become increasingly curious about the actual “moments” when someone realizes a dream. In the case of an Olympian, from what I’ve been told, the moment you win gold is quickly followed by the realization of everything that got you there. In many cases, according to those who have been there, it’s like an actual floodgate opens… and the emotions just flow. 

In this episode, I sit down with one of those Olympians - my friend Angela Ruggiero, four-time Olympic medalist (including gold in 1998)  and Hockey Hall of Famer. We talk about what it really feels like when everything comes down to one final moment. We were together broadcasting women’s hockey during the winter Olympics, and being beside her as the United States women played Canada in the  gold medal game was unforgettable. The biggest hockey rivalry and overtime? Forget it!

We talk about nerves that never fully go away, the weight of representing your country, and what it takes to help build a league and a future for the next generation. We also discuss how women’s hockey is entering its most powerful era yet - oh, and how Angela became the prolific athlete and leader she is today. 

What You’ll Discover:

• Seeing the champions up close in Milan (03:18)
• Belief vs. self-defeat (16:29)
• Leaving home to chase a dream (24:28)
• From Olympian to entrepreneur (43:09)
• The inequities that still remain (53:23)

Angela’s story is about belief, not just in yourself, but in what’s possible when a community shows up around you. That’s what I love about these conversations. The part behind the highlight. The mindset inside the moment.

If this episode resonated with you, make sure you’re subscribed to Things No One Tells You so you don’t miss what’s next. And if you loved what you heard, share this episode with a friend. 

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u19KyvZjfqY

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/angela-ruggiero-37  

Check out more from Angela Ruggiero on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/angela.m.ruggiero/ 

Support this podcast:

Follow Things No One Tells You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsnoonetellsyoupod/ 

Stay connected with Lindsay https://www.lindsaycz.com/  and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz/ 

Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz 

I’m still pinching myself thinking about my experience over the past few weeks covering the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. I’ve been so grateful for every opportunity to cover the games but this time, I found myself with a unique window into some incredible, historic storylines that impacted Team USA; specifically hockey - both the men’s and women’s teams. 

Watching both teams go for gold and doing so alongside analysts who have experience on that very stage really highlighted for me how the Olympics aren’t just about showing up every few years and trying to win a medal. The Games are about mindset and meeting the moment; about a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication culminating in an opportunity to achieve on the worlds biggest sporting stage. 

In this special post-Olympics episode, I sit down with my producer Ashley to answer your questions and to reflect on what it felt like to step inside the Olympic world once again, this time covering live events throughout the games from the USA network studios in CT. 

We talk about the pressure athletes face, the power of preparation and routine (including my own - with a few fun glam tips along the way), and what it’s like working to develop chemistry quickly - for both athletes and broadcasters -  working as part of a larger team. I share what surprised me most, what moved me, and what I’m still processing now that the lights have dimmed.

What You’ll Discover:

A day in the life of broadcasting during the Games (05:20)

Staying grounded when adrenaline runs high (12:17)

The team dynamic that makes live TV work (15:31)

Learning from athletes under immense pressure (26:26)

The evolution of Olympic storytelling (20:40)

The lessons I’m taking home (01:03:25)

This episode isn’t just about sports. It’s about the human experience inside the once in a lifetime moments. It’s about what pressure reveals. What teamwork teaches. What happens when expectations collide with reality. And what we can learn from those athletes who beat the odds that seemed to make their dreams impossible. 

If you’re walking through your own high-stakes season, I hope this conversation reminds you that you’re not alone. If it did, take a moment to subscribe and rate Things No One Tells You, and share this episode with a friend. That small act helps us keep these honest conversations going. 

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JquehuOP6xk 

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/winter-olympics-36 

Mentioned in episode:

Ralph Lauren Purple Label 

Nars Blush - Thrill

Cashmere Hair Extensions

Support this podcast:

Follow Things No One Tells You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsnoonetellsyoupod/ 

Stay connected with Lindsay https://www.lindsaycz.com/  and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz/ 

Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz 

YouTube ID code: YCCEWADKSTUEFTBXY

I’ve been around sports my entire life. I’ve covered some of the biggest games on the biggest stages. But there’s something uniquely intense, and uniquely tender, about youth sports. Because when it’s your child out there, everything feels different.

Jeff Francoeur knows that shift firsthand. Jeff has seen the game from every angle: 12 years in the majors, a World Series appearance, and now a career in broadcasting. But the most revealing perspective? Watching his own daughter look toward him after a strikeout.

In this episode, Jeff opens up about youth sports culture, early burnout, and the mental side of athletics we don’t talk about enough. He shares the moment his daughter told him he crushed her confidence, and how that changed everything about the way he coaches. Jeff also shares about how these experiences led to Pure Athlete and a passion for helping others focus on what matters in youth sports.

We talk about travel teams, unrealistic expectations, the pressure parents feel, and why middle school is a pivotal turning point. Most of all, we talk about letting kids develop a love for the game before layering on performance.

1. Watching your own kid step to the plate (07:54)
2. What kids actually want from sports (11:16)
3. The three stages of youth sports development (13:28)
4. Why passion has to come first (27:07)
5. The “hat off” rule for the car ride home (29:02)
6. Jeff’s thoughts on specializing in youth sports (47:38)

At its core, this episode isn’t just about baseball or youth sports. It’s about protecting joy. It’s about perspective. It’s about remembering that the goal isn’t just raising strong athletes; it’s raising confident, resilient humans.

If this episode makes you rethink your next sideline moment, share it with a fellow parent. And if you’re loving these honest conversations, subscribe, rate, and review Things No One Tells You.

Check out more from Jeff Francoeur and Pure Athlete:

Follow Pure Athlete on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pureathleteinc/

Follow Pure Athlete on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pureathleteinc

Subscribe to their show on Apple Podcast and Spotify

Check their website: PureAthlete.com

Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefffrancoeur/

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SBBYDyYLQlI

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/jeff-francoeur-35

TNOTY Episodes Mentioned in Interview:

“Staying Grounded in the NFL Spotlight with Colts QB Daniel Jones” https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/daniel-jones-23

“Winning the Indy 500 with Álex Palou” https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/alex-palou-03

From the outside, Farmgirl Flowers looks like an overnight success. Beautiful arrangements, a recognizable brand, and a company that’s lasted 15 years. But as Christina Stembel shares in this conversation, the reality was far slower, and far harder, than most people realize.

Christina shares what no one talks about when you build a company without investors, without a pedigree, and without a backup plan. From growing up on a farm in Indiana to teaching herself how to design flowers she’d want to receive, her journey is rooted in grit and creativity.

We also talk about creativity born from constraints, how women buying flowers for other women reshaped Christina’s business, and what it means to build something sustainably instead of chasing fast growth. This is a conversation about patience, resilience, and redefining success on your own terms, especially when the timeline doesn’t go the way you planned.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why flowers became a business problem to solve (06:55)
• Bootstrapping without investors or a safety net (15:17)
• The reality of perishable margins and slow growth (29:24)
• When quitting felt logical (34:59)
• Redefining success on her own terms (46:07)

If you’ve ever built something quietly, questioned how long it was taking, or wondered if it would all be worth it, Christina’s story isn’t just inspiring; it’s validating. Christina’s story is exactly why Things No One Tells You exists, to share the parts of success that don’t make the highlight reel. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review Things No One Tells You wherever you listen. 

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6thbYEYvSx8 

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/christina-stembel-34 

Check out more from Christina Stembel: 

Discover Christina’s website: https://farmgirlflowers.com 

Follow Farmgirl Flowers on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farmgirlflowers 

And follow Christina on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinastembel 

We love to talk about romantic love like it’s magic or fate. You either feel the spark or you don’t. But according to relationship science, attraction and long-term connection aren’t nearly as mysterious as we think.

In this episode, I sit down with Marisa T. Cohen, a relationship scientist and licensed marriage and family therapist, to explore what really drives romantic attraction, chemistry, and lasting connection. From why proximity matters, to how shared experiences and adrenaline can heighten attraction, Marisa breaks down the science behind love in a way that actually makes sense.

We also dive into one of the most common challenges couples face: communication. Marisa explains why so many disagreements escalate, what’s really happening beneath the surface, and how validation and timing can completely change the outcome of hard conversations.

What You’ll Discover:

• What drives romantic attraction and chemistry (05:53)
• Why shared experiences intensify connection (08:38)
• How communication patterns quietly erode relationships (21:57)
• Why validation matters more than being right (25:12)
• Tools for repairing conflict and emotional safety (38:41)

Whether you’re dating, married, or trying to reconnect with your partner, this episode offers insight you can actually use, especially with Valentine’s Day around the corner. If this episode resonates, I hope you’ll subscribe, share it with someone you care about, and come back each week for more conversations like this one.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/84_Y6RU59Yg

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/marisa-cohen-33

Check out more from Marisa Cohen:

Discover Marisa’s website: https://www.marisatcohen.com/

Follow Marisa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marisatcohen/

Support this podcast:

Follow Things No One Tells You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thingsnoonetellsyoupod/

Stay connected with Lindsay https://www.lindsaycz.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lindsaycz/

Subscribe to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaycz

Confidence doesn’t always arrive when you think it will. In this episode, Britney Eurton shares what it really feels like to work at the highest levels of sports broadcasting while still questioning yourself behind the scenes.

We talk about imposter syndrome, live TV nerves, and the fine line between confidence and humility. Britney opens up about saying yes to opportunities that scared her, the thrill of live television, and why asking questions is never a weakness.

Britney also opens up about marriage, travel, and what it looks like to build a partnership with someone who truly understands her world.

What You’ll Discover:

• Balancing imposter syndrome and confidence (06:34)
• Saying yes despite fear (08:24)
• The adrenaline of live TV (17:18)
• Marriage, travel, and balance (11:34)
• Learning new sports and staying curious (24:43)

This conversation is thoughtful, honest, and full of perspective for anyone navigating ambition and self-doubt at the same time. Tune in to discover more about saying yes to opportunities and building confidence while learning.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_99aIPVB8RI 

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/britney-eurton-32  

Check out more from Britney Eurton on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/britneyeurton/ 

We’re excited to kick off season 2 of Things No One Tells You with a look back and a preview of what is to come. Season one of TNOTY wasn’t about headlines; it was about the moments behind them. In this episode, I’m looking back on the conversations that defined the first season and sharing what surprised me most along the way.

From athletes and actors opening up about imposter syndrome to parents navigating the emotional shift of raising older kids, I’m considering the common threads that keep showing up: pressure, growth, connection, and the courage to ask questions, even when we think we should already know the answers.

This episode is also a preview of what’s ahead in season two, including conversations about Olympic pressure, youth sports, addiction, relationships, and the science behind how we love.

What You’ll Discover:

• Why this show exists (01:15)
• Lessons from season one conversations (02:45) 
• Coaching, parenting, and being present (04:45) 
• The importance of asking better questions (06:07) 
• What’s coming in season two (07:07) 

Whether you’ve listened to every episode or are just joining the community, this is a moment to pause, reflect, and look forward together. 

I’m glad you’re here and am excited about season two! If you’re loving the show, be sure to follow, rate, and review the podcast wherever you listen.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-HaxMlqiXRQ 

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/the-questions-that-change-everything-31

As we wrap up 2025, I wanted to revisit this powerful conversation I had with Neha Ruch during one of the first episodes of TNOTY. We'll be taking a short pause of our own, and we'll be launching Season 2 of TNOTY later in January! Follow us on Instagram to keep up with the latest.

About the episode: I’ve talked to a lot of women about their careers—but what Neha Ruch said about “nailing the dismount” when leaving a job? That stuck with me, and I knew I wanted to learn more.

In this episode, Neha, the founder of Mother Untitled and author of The Power Pause, opens up about the quiet grief of stepping back from work, the invisible expectations placed on modern mothers, and the mindset shifts that helped her, and thousands of others, reclaim their career and life narrative on their own terms. She and I dive into the real stuff: the pressure to “lean in,” the fear of losing your spot, the quiet guilt that follows moms into daycare pickup lines and exit interviews.

Neha shares the practical strategies and hard-earned insights that help women take intentional pauses from work, stay connected to their ambition, and return with clarity, confidence, and strength.

What You’ll Discover:

• Why Neha traded a dream job for a different kind of fulfillment (18:30)
• How to talk about being “on pause” in a way that feels strong and self-defined (25:09)
• Why women need to start “nailing the dismount” when stepping back from a job (28:11)
• How motherhood can spark, not stifle, creativity and reinvention (38:01)
• Practical tools for navigating finances, identity shifts, and career pivots (47:18)
• Neha responds to listener questions about how to approach a pause (53:04)

Whether you’re a parent navigating your own pause, a partner trying to understand it, or simply someone rethinking what success looks like—this conversation is a guidepost. Neha's groundbreaking work is shifting how we view, understand, and talk about career pauses.

Neha doesn’t just talk about redefining ambition. She shows us how it’s done.

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dMf4v5Ah4Dk

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/neha-ruch-30 

To connect with Neha Ruch, check out: 

The Power Pause site: www.thepowerpause.com 

Find Neha on Instagram @neha_ruch 

Before we turn the page on the year, I wanted to pause and look back at some of the conversations from this season that lingered with me the most. This year-end highlights episode brings together some of the most memorable moments from Things No One Tells You, the ones that sparked reflection, surprise, and honest self-examination.

Across these clips, a few themes kept surfacing: confidence that wavers, pressure that doesn’t always show on the outside, and the question of who we are after the milestone moment passes or when we’re on shifting ground.

What You’ll Hear:

• Losing confidence right after success (03:18, Stephanie Szostak)
• Mentorship as a stabilizing force in high-pressure rooms (08:24, Kadi Lee)
• The importance of relationships in high pressure situations (17:03, Daniel Jones)
• The emotional reality of climbing the mountain, then staying there (22:46, Craig Melvin)
• Scrappiness and meeting the moment when it matters most (26:03, Aliett Buttelman)
• How faith can play out during intense moments in the NFL (35:15, Len Vanden Bos)
• A powerful reminder about what our kids need from us (42:09, Bridget KerMorris)
• What it looks like when you bet on yourself (47:40, Brooke Baldwin) 

These conversations are a reminder that behind every highlight reel is a human story. If you’re heading into the new year with questions, hopes, or a little uncertainty, you’re not alone. 

We’re looking forward to kicking off Season 2 of TNOTY in the new year! Follow Lindsay and TNOTY on Instagram to keep up with the latest.

To watch or listen to the full episode for any of the highlighted clips in this 2025 Highlights episode, click on the blog links below.

Tough Love with SOUL ON FIRE Actor Stephanie Szostak: Ep 18

https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/stephanie-szostak-18 

Things No One Tells You About Creating a Conscious Brand with Kadi Lee: Ep 7

https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/kadi-lee-07 

Staying Grounded in the NFL Spotlight with Colts QB Daniel Jones: Ep 23 

https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/daniel-jones-23 

Things No One Tells You About The Work Behind the Spotlight with Craig Melvin: Ep 6

https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/craig-melvin-06 

Things No One Tells You About Glitter Freckles and Grit with Aliett Buttelman: Ep 8

https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/aliett-buttelman 

Faith in Football with the Buffalo Bills: Ep 16

https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/buffalo-bills-16 

What Our Kids Need More Than Rules with Bridget KerMorris: Ep 21 

https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/bridget-kermorris-21 

The Unraveling That Changes Everything with Brooke Baldwin: Ep 5 https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/brooke-baldwin-05 

You can watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3mOTBsOPPfs 

For a full transcript and more, check out our blog post: https://www.lindsaycz.com/show-notes/tnoty-highlights-29